Released in 1977, the movie Smokey and the Bandit probably did more to sell Pontiac Trans Ams than any advertising campaign in the brand’s history. As the second-highest grossing film of 1977, it cemented actor Burt Reynolds’ reputation as a bona fide superstar, so it stands to reason that a car with ties to both the movie and the actor would command a premium price at auction. Last weekend a 1977 Pontiac Trans Am used to promote the film (but not in the actual filming) and later gifted to Reynolds sold for $450,000 at a Julien’s Auctions sale in Las Vegas, far exceeding the $80,000 pre-auction estimate.

The Pontiac was part of a Burt Reynolds-specific auction that included everything from paintings and sculpture through clothing and movie memorabilia, all formerly part of the actor’s personal collection. A gas-powered black Trans Am replica go-kart (also said to be a promotional item from Smokey and the Bandit) sold for $13,750, while the red-with-black trim “Bandit” jacket worn by Reynolds in the movie fetched $34,375. Even a shirt worn by Reynolds in the movie managed to achieve a selling price of $15,625, making the $20,000 paid for his “Bandit” cowboy boots seem like a relative bargain.

The 1977 Pontiac Trans Am sold last weekend had been given to Reynolds following its use in promotional appearances to support the film. A plaque inside the door identifies the car as being owned by Reynolds, and a copy of the title supplied with the car lists Reynolds as a previous owner. “Bandit” is even lettered on the driver’s door, just in case the car’s new owner forgets its provenance. Aside from these identifying features, the car is believed to be otherwise stock, equipped with a 403-cu.in., 185-horsepower V-8 mated to a three-speed Hydra-Matic transmission.

The sale bodes well for another Pontiac Trans Am with ties to Reynolds heading to auction next month. A 1978 Trans Am once owned by the actor but now being sold as part of the Wellborn Muscle Car Collection will cross the block at Mecum’s Kissimmee sale. Records show that this particular car (with no direct ties to any of the later Smokey and the Bandit movies) was owned by Reynolds from 2005 to 2009, and was once displayed at the Petersen Museum in Los Angeles. While the Julien’s sale is no guarantee of performance at the later Mecum auction, it demonstrates that interest in memorabilia related to Reynolds hasn’t waned over the years.

For complete results from last weekend’s Burt Reynolds sale at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, visit JuliensAuctions.com.

If you pay even a second’s worth of attention to Facebook, Twitter and the internet forums, you’d think that the years between 1973 and 1983 comprised a decade of darkness for automotive junkies. Most of the people who hate what is commonly regarded as “the Malaise Era” were barely in booster seats during the 1980s, and have absolutely no idea what they’re talking about. There were – and still are – ample reasons to truly enjoy a lot of cars and car culture from that period:

Immediately after the announcement of the end of Pontiac, we say a flurry of interest in building new versions on the Camaro platform. Lingenfelter showed a TA concept car at SEMA last fall, and ASC publicized an upcoming conversion of their own. And while Lingenfelter has built four or five, we haven’t heard anything from ASC on the subject.

ASC Trans Am

Lingenfelter LTA Camaro SS

But the idea has stayed alive, and Trans Am Depot is the latest to pick up the ball. Unlike the others, they have an ace up their sleeve: The have legal right to use the name “Trans Am.” Does that make a difference? I think it does. The Lingenfelter is called the “LTA Camaro SS,” the ASC did use the name but never made the car. TA Depot even has a Pontiac badge on the front.

This is the project formerly known as the Phoenix TA. It is, as most are, Bandit (1977-’78) style. Tod Warmack from the Depot says they’re tooling for it now, with a T-Top demo car (some bodywork mocked up in fiberglass) ready for Trans Am Nationals in Dayton at the end of August. Production cars will be available a couple of weeks after.

Muscle car owners who drive their cars can take part in a coast-to-coast race this summer in which the winner takes home a Cannonball Rally 600hp Saleen Mustang and automatic entrance into next year’s $1 million event.

This race, The Great American Run, is a cavalcade of outrageous cars and daredevil drivers and is being touted as the largest motor event in North America. Some 400 drivers will begin at four different points: Miami, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia; Washington D.C. and New York City.

After a cross-country trek through strategic checkpoints in New Orleans, Indianapolis, San Antonio and Las Vegas, all drivers will head to Los Angeles. Before crossing the finish line, all the competitors will be given the chance to spin their wheels at the historic Willow Springs Raceway.

All types of cars will be entered, from Ferraris to Fords. The race starts July 29, 2007. The event is a throwback to the early 1980s when Burt Reynolds’ movie Cannonball Run inspired a generation of road rallies. The winner will receive the aforementioned Saleen Mustang, a limited production S281 “Extreme” Mustang, which has 550 horsepower, Saleen suspension, six-speed transmission and is one of just 25 built.

(This post originally appeared in the May 31, 2007, issue of the Hemmings eWeekly Newsletter.)

Wake up the Snowman, the Bandit (actually a fleet of Bandits) is making a run from Texarkana, Texas, to Atlanta, Georgia, starting May 15!

Can it be? It has been 30 years since the first Smokey and the Bandit movie. To commemorate that now seemingly cult film for Trans Am fans, www.restoreamusclecar.com and YearOne have teamed up to hold a cruise in May 2007, said David Hershey of Keller, Texas.

The exact start date and locations for the cruise are still in the works, but Hershey said the event is scheduled to leave Texarkana, Texas, and drive through Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, and into Georgia. The final destination is Atlanta for the YearOne Experience, being held May 18 through May 20, 2007. The cruise will likely begin May 15.

There’s no doubt the movies with Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, Jackie Gleason and Jerry Reed helped catapult Trans Am sales. Burt drove a black-and-gold Special Edition model with T-tops in the movies. Once looked upon as “just another black-and-gold paint scheme,” these cars are today commanding big money. Once at Atlanta, participants will be able to drive their Trans Ams around the 2.54-mile Atlanta Grand Prix course. Trans Ams and F-Bodies of all years are welcome.